New peer mounts defence of politics as public service

Maiden speech: Lord Gilbert of Panteg reflects on life growing up in Pontypool.

Wales's newest peer has delivered his maiden speech in the House of Lords.

Lord [Stephen] Gilbert of Panteg, former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, used his speech to - unfashionably, perhaps - defend political activity as "valuable, decent and honourable"

He told peers: "I was brought up and first got involved in politics in Pontypool in south Wales, the birthplace and political nursery of Lord Jenkins of Hillhead and represented in parliament by the great social reformer Leo Abse and more recently by Lord Murphy of Torfaen.

"I saw in Pontypool that politics was about public service. It was a Labour town but with an active Conservative Party and thriving community organisations. My father, who I am sad was not here to see me at my introduction, was very active in our local community. He epitomised selfless public service as well as being something of a pantomime impresario."

'Honourable'

He added: "I saw that so often the same people who were involved in the stuffing of envelopes for political parties one day would be at the counter of the charity shop the next. I felt then, as I do now, that getting involved in and working for any political party and fighting for your beliefs is valuable, decent and honourable."

There are few Welsh Conservatives in the Lords, where the Welsh Liberal Democrats are more numerous, but one Welsh-born Tory did follow Lord Gilbert's speech.

Former Conservative leader Lord [Michael] Howard said: "He and I have known each other for many years, have served our party for many years and share the very considerable advantage of having started our lives in south Wales."

You can read Lord Gilbert's speech here.